Modular Tank with Cooperating Formations on End Walls

ABSTRACT

A tank assembly suitable for use in the transport of liquids, the tank assembly including at least two tank sections which are adapted to be fitted together in an assembled position. Each tank section includes an end wall, the end walls being adjacent one another when the tank sections are in the assembled position. The end walls have cooperating formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with one another so as to limit relative movement between the tank sections at least in one direction when in the assembled position.

This invention relates generally to tanks and more particularly but not exclusively to tanks suitable for use in the transport of liquids.

Bulk tanks for use in the transport of liquids are known. In some applications the tanks are adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle. A problem which is often encountered is a result of the liquid moving within the tank during transport. This can lead to dangerous situations where the momentum of the liquid as it moves affects the handling of the vehicle. In order to alleviate this problem it has been proposed to install baffles within the tank interior. While this is an expensive time consuming procedure, such baffles can be installed in welded metallic tanks. Mild steel tanks have a low corrosion resistance even when used with water. Aluminium tanks have a greater corrosion resistance to water but are susceptible to many common chemicals. Stainless steel is an alternative but is too expensive for most applications. All metallic tanks must be individually fabricated for each application. Molded polyethylene tanks are by far the most cost effective solution for transportation and storage of water and a wide range of chemicals. They can be produced in a quick and cost efficient way by the rotational molded process. Because of the construction technique used for making polyethylene tanks, baffles produced in them have in the past been relatively small with respect to the internal dimensions of the tank interior and as such have had little effect on liquid motion control.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tank assembly which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned problem.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tank assembly suitable for use in the transport of liquids, the tank assembly including at least two tank sections which are adapted to be fitted together in an assembled position, each tank section including an end wall, the end walls being adjacent one another when the tank sections are in the assembled position, said end walls having cooperating formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with one another so as to limit relative movement between the tank sections at least in one direction when in the assembled position.

Preferably the cooperating formations are configured so as to permit relative movement between the two sections in at least one direction so that they can adopt the assembled position wherein relative movement in other directions is inhibited.

In one form the formations may include a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ribs with recesses therebetween, the ribs on one end wall being disposed within the recesses in the other end wall when in the assembled position so as to limit relative lateral movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ribs.

In one form the formations may further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections. In addition to or alternatively to the above fasteners may be provided for connecting adjacent tank sections together. The fasteners may be in the form of bolts which can be positioned in through holes extending through the end walls of the adjacent tank sections. Recesses may be provided in a top and/or side wall of the tank sections into which the bolts can be located with the through holes extending between the recess and the end wall of each tank section. Preferably a plurality of recesses and associated recesses are provided in spaced apart relation over the top and/or side wall of each tank section.

One embodiment of tank assembly includes three tank sections including first and second end sections and an intermediate section therebetween. It will be appreciated however that two or more than three tank sections could be provided.

In one embodiment one or more longitudinally extending baffles may be provided in order to reduce side surge of liquid within the tank sections. The or each baffle may be in the form of formations which extends inwardly from the end wall of the tank section.

Preferably at least one tank section includes an access opening to the interior of the tank section. Liquid couplings may be provided which permit for liquid flow between the interior of each of the sections. A breather port may be associated with each of the tank sections. The tank assembly may be formed from any suitable material using any suitable manufacturing technique. Preferably however, the tank sections are molded from polyethylene. The manufacturing process may be by way of rotational molding or any other suitable process.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tank assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one of the tank sections shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the other side;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the tank assembly shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of one of the tank sections shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of one of the tank sections shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a further embodiment of tank assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the tank assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tank section of the assembly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a further perspective view of the tank section shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another tank section of the assembly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 11 is a further perspective view of the tank section shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a further embodiment of tank assembly according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings there is shown a tank assembly generally indicated at 10 and includes three separate tank sections 20, 40 and 60 which are adapted to be operatively coupled together to form a single unit. Each section forms a separate unit for holding liquid therein and the units are adapted to be fluidly connected together.

Tank section 20 forms an end section of the assembly and includes a base 21, a top 22, tank wall 19 and opposed end walls 23 and 24. The tank wall 19 of the tank section is generally oval or round in shape. The base 21 includes mounting legs 25 by which the tank section 20 can be mounted to a vehicle. The legs 25 include a mounting hole 27 for receiving a mounting pin (not shown) that can be used to fasten the assembly to the vehicle.

The tank section 20 further includes a transfer face 28 through which liquid can be transferred via a connecting manifold to adjacent tank section 40. Liquid may also be drawn from or fed into the assembly through this manifold.

The end wall 23 forms an end of the tank assembly. To this end the end wall 23 has formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with formations on an adjacent tank section so as to limit relative movement therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 1 the formations of tank section 20 includes a plurality of ribs 29 which are generally upright in orientation and generally parallel and spaced apart from one another so as to provide for recesses 30 therebetween. The formations further include an arcuate shape ledge 31 with end abutment walls 32 and 33 the ledge 31 being disposed in the region of the top of the tank section. The formations further include two stepped flanges 34 and 35 having adjacent ends which are spaced apart from one another to provide for a gap 36 therebetween. The gap 36 can be provided with a breather aperture for a balance port between two adjacent tank compartments at 37.

Tank section 40 forms an intermediate section between tank sections 20 and 60. As shown, tank section 40 is of similar construction to tank section 20 in that it includes a base 21, a top 22, a tank wall 19 and opposed end walls 43 and 44. One of the end walls 44 has formations thereon which are substantially the same as those of tank section 20, and the same reference numerals have been used to identify similar features.

The other end wall 43 has formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with the formations on end wall 23 which, when the tank sections are fitted together limit relative movement between the adjacent tank sections. The formations on end wall 43 are illustrated in FIG. 2 which is an isometric view of tank section 60 when viewed from the other side to that shown in FIG. 1.

The formations as shown includes a plurality of upright ribs 58 which are generally parallel and spaced apart from one another so as to provide for recesses 59 therebetween. The formations further include a stepped flange 64 which is arcuate in shape and has end sections 65 and 66. The ribs 29 on tank section 20 are offset from the ribs 58 on tank section 58 when the tank sections are in the assembled position so that ribs 29 are disposed in respective recesses 59 and ribs 58 are disposed in respective recesses 30. The stepped flange 64 overlies the ledge 31 with end walls 33 and 32 abutting against end walls 65 and 66. The stepped portion of flange 64 is disposed behind flanges 34 and 35 thereby inhibiting movement of the tank sections in the longitudinal direction.

The two flanges 68 each have a hole through them that lines up with a similar hole in the opposing flange 69 on the adjacent tank section. When the two sections are in the assembled position a bolt or similar fastening device 70 (FIG. 3) is installed through these holes to prevent relative vertical movement between the tank sections.

Tank section 60 is of similar construction to the other tank sections and like reference numerals have been used to identify like parts. Tank section 60 can be fitted to tank section 40 in a similar manner to that described above. Tank section 60 further includes an opening 62 through which liquid can be delivered or discharged from the assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 12 there is shown further embodiments of tank assemblies according to the invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a tank assembly 110 having three tank sections 120, 140, and 160. The tank assembly 110 shown in FIG. 12 has two tank sections 120 and 160.

Tank section 120 forms an end section of the tank assemblies shown in FIGS. 6 and 12 and includes a base 121, a top 122, tank wall 119 and opposed end walls 123 and 124. The tank wall 119 of the tank section is generally oval or round in shape. The base 121 includes mounting legs 125 by which the tank section 120 can be mounted to a vehicle. The legs 125 include a mounting hole 127 for receiving a mounting pin (not shown) that can be used to fasten the assembly to the vehicle.

The tank section 120 further includes a liquid transfer section 128 through which liquid can be transferred via a connecting manifold to an adjacent tank section. Liquid may also be drawn from or fed into the assembly through this manifold.

The end wall 123 forms an end of the tank assembly. The other end wall 124 is adapted to be fitted to an end wall of another tank section. To this end the end wall 124 has formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with formations on an adjacent tank section so as to limit relative movement therebetween.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 the formations of tank section 120 includes a plurality of ribs 129 which are generally upright in orientation and generally parallel and spaced apart from one another so as to provide for recesses 130 therebetween.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a centre tank section 140. It is in essence of the same structure as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 except that it has formations on both end walls.

A series of bolt holes 171, 172, 173, 174 and 175 are formed in end wall 123, these bolt holes extending through to recesses 181, 182, 183, 184 and 185. The bolt holes are adapted to receive bolts therethrough which secure the tank section to an adjacent tank section similarly constructed. At each side of the end wall an elongated recess 177 and elongated projection 178 are provided. The recess in one tank section is adapted to receive a projection on another tank section to assist in holding the two tank sections in position.

The tank section may further include longitudinal baffles 186 which extend inwardly from the end walls and which reduces side to side surge of liquid in the tank when in use.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. 

1. A tank assembly suitable for use in the transport of liquids, the tank assembly including at least two tank sections which are adapted to be fitted together in an assembled position, each tank section including an end wall, the end walls being adjacent one another when the tank sections are in the assembled position, said end walls having cooperating formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with one another so as to limit relative movement between the tank sections at least in one direction when in the assembled position.
 2. A tank assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cooperating formations are configured so as to permit relative movement between the two sections in at least one direction so that they can adopt the assembled position wherein relative movement in other directions is inhibited.
 3. A tank assembly according to claim 2 wherein said formations include a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ribs with recesses therebetween, the ribs on one end wall being disposed within the recesses in the other end wall when in the assembled position so as to limit relative lateral movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ribs.
 4. A tank assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections.
 5. A tank assembly according to claim 1 further including fasteners for connecting adjacent tank sections together.
 6. A tank assembly according to claim 5 wherein said fasteners are in the form of bolts which are positioned within through holes extending through the end walls of the adjacent tank sections.
 7. A tank assembly according to claim 5 further including recesses in a top and/or side wall of the tank sections into which the fasteners can be located with the through holes extending between the recess and the end wall of each tank section.
 8. A tank assembly according to claim 1 further including one or more longitudinally extending baffles extending into the interior of the tank section from the end wall thereof.
 9. A tank assembly according to claim 1 which includes three or more said tank sections including first and second end sections and one or more intermediate sections therebetween.
 10. A tank assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one tank section includes an access opening to the interior of the tank section.
 11. A tank assembly according to claim 1 including liquid couplings providing for liquid flow at a controlled rate to reduce surging between the interior of each of the sections.
 12. A tank assembly according to claim 1 including a breather port between adjacent tank sections.
 13. A tank assembly according to claim 3 wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections.
 14. A tank assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections.
 15. A tank assembly according to claim 9 wherein at least one tank section includes an access opening to the interior of the tank section.
 16. A tank assembly according to claim 9 including liquid couplings providing for liquid flow at a controlled rate to reduce surging between the interior of each of the sections.
 17. A tank assembly according to claim 9 including a breather port between adjacent tank sections. 